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WO2015090414A1 - Apparatus for generating power from sea currents - Google Patents

Apparatus for generating power from sea currents Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015090414A1
WO2015090414A1 PCT/EP2013/077416 EP2013077416W WO2015090414A1 WO 2015090414 A1 WO2015090414 A1 WO 2015090414A1 EP 2013077416 W EP2013077416 W EP 2013077416W WO 2015090414 A1 WO2015090414 A1 WO 2015090414A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
floating body
main
auxiliary
main floating
cross beams
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2013/077416
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Moritz Palm
Reinder Jorritsma
Willem Sievert Ganzinga
Original Assignee
Bluewater Energy Services B.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bluewater Energy Services B.V. filed Critical Bluewater Energy Services B.V.
Priority to PCT/EP2013/077416 priority Critical patent/WO2015090414A1/en
Priority to CA2933492A priority patent/CA2933492A1/en
Priority to GB1609857.6A priority patent/GB2534825A/en
Publication of WO2015090414A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015090414A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • F03B17/061—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially in flow direction
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
    • F03B13/264—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/10—Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/97—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a submerged structure
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an apparatus for generating power from sea currents, comprising a structure having a buoyancy provided by buoyancy members , support members supporting water turbines and mooring means for mooring the structure to a fixed point.
  • an apparatus which is characterized in that the buoyancy members comprise an elongate main floating body and at least one elongate auxiliary floating body, wherein the auxiliary float ing body is positioned above the main floating body in a vertical plane extending through the main floating body and wherein the main floating body and auxiliary floating body are interconnected by at least one vertically extending strut.
  • the apparatus according to the present invention has a stable position in the water, due to the relative positions between the main floating body and auxiliary floating body.
  • the cross-section of the main floating body and/or auxiliary floating body may be substantially cylindrical.
  • main and auxiliary floating bodies extend substantially horizontally and in parallel to each other . As such the drag experienced and generated by the floating bodies is minimised.
  • the overall buoyancy of the structure is such that the auxiliary floating body in an op- erational position of the apparatus extends partly above and partly below water level.
  • the indication "operational position” relates to a position of the apparatus in which its water turbines are at the required depth for generating power. Because in such a position a part of the auxiliary floating body still is located above water level, a downward movement of the structure (for example caused by a force acting on the water turbines) automatically will lead to an increase of the buoy- ance counteracting such a downward movement. An upward movement, to the contrary, will lead to a decrease of the buoyancy. Thus, there will be a stabilizing effect. Because of the position of the auxiliary floating body vertically above the main floating body, the auxiliary floating body is also very effective in compensating (or preventing) other motions of the structure, such as for example (excessive) rolling of the structure.
  • the at least one strut provides a passage for a person between the interior of the auxiliary floating body and the interior of the main floating body which is sealed against surrounding seawater.
  • a passage is provided with a ladder enabling a person to reach the interior of the main floating body.
  • the auxiliary floating body is provided with an access opening which can be closed and opened by a closure, such as for example a hatch, which in the operational position of the apparatus is located above water level.
  • a closure such as for example a hatch
  • the auxiliary floating body in the vicinity of the access opening is provided with a mooring structure for a vessel. This allows to moor a ve s - sel (for example bringing maintenance personnel and equipment to the apparatus) to the auxiliary floating body.
  • the apparatus generally will comprise equipment, such as electric equipment, and this ma mainly be located in the interior of the main floating body .
  • equipment such as electric equipment
  • One of the advantages of positioning such equipment in the main floating body is the resulting low position of the centre of gravity of the structure, adding to an improved stability thereof.
  • the apparatus is provided with two struts spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the main and auxiliary floating bodies.
  • the at least one strut has an oval cross section, the drag can be minimised, whereas further such a cross section may increase the azimuthal stabilisation of the apparatus.
  • the support members for the water turbines comprise at least one pair of cross beams extending in opposite directions outwardly from the main floating body.
  • Each cross beam generally will support at least one water turbine, but it is also conceivable that a cross beam supports a number of water turbines.
  • the position of these cross beams on the main floating body leads to a s tabi le ap- paratus with a low centre of gravity.
  • cross beams are attached to an upper part of the main floating body.
  • the cross beams extend inclined upwardly from the main floating body with an angle with respect to the horizontal of at most 10°, and preferably said angle is at most 5°. This also has a stabilising effect on the position of the apparatus.
  • the water turbines are mounted on an upper surface of the cross beams.
  • the water tur- bines will surface early when the entire apparatus moves up- ardly (for example by increasing its buoyancy) , and will be readily accessible for maintenance or repairs without the need for any additional movement or displacement thereof (such as, for example, a rotation around a horizontal axis which requires a complicated structure prone to malfunctions) .
  • the cross beams may be provided with a controllable ballasting system.
  • the main floating body may comprise controllable ballasting means.
  • Such a system or means may be used to change the buoyancy of the apparatus for moving it vertically upward or downward or for trimming purposes .
  • the cross beams may be substantially wing shaped and taper outwardly. As a result they may function essentially as hyd ofoils for helping in determining or control- ling the position of the apparatus.
  • the mooring means may comprise mooring lines attached to the forward and rearward ends of the main floating body.
  • Figure 1 illustrates in a perspective view from behind and partly cut away an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a frontal view of the apparatus from figure 1;
  • Figure 3 shows a side view of the apparatus from figure 1
  • Figure 4 shows a top plan view of the apparatus from figure 1.
  • the apparatus for generating power from sea currents illustrated in the figures basica 1 i y comprises a structure having a buoyancy provided by buoyancy members, support members supporting water turbines and mooring means for mooring the structure to a fixed point.
  • the structure apart from its buoyancy members also may comprise other parts which do not or only in a limited sense contribu t e to the overall buoyancy of the structure.
  • the buoyancy members firstly comprise an elongate, in the present embodiment substantially cylindrical, main floating body 1 of which the rear end is depicted at the left in figures 1,3 and 4.
  • Rear mooring line connectors 2 and forward mooring line connectors 3 are provided in the main floati ng body 1 for guiding and attaching first ends of mooring lines 4 of which oppos ite second ends are attached to a fixed point, for example on the seabed (not illustrat- ed) or another stationary construction.
  • the mooring line connectors 2,3 may be provided with mooring lines pull in and tensioning means (for example located within the main floating body 1) .
  • the main floating body 1 provides a defined buoy- anc which can be set at a required level by rear and forward controllable ballast tanks 5 and 6, respectively, which also may be used for trimming the apparatus.
  • a chamber 7 may be provided for housing equipment, such as electric equipment .
  • the buoyancy members of the structure further comprise a single elongate, also substantially cylindrical, auxiliary floating body 8 which is positioned above the main floating body 1 in a vertical plane extending through the main floating body.
  • the main floating body 1 and auxiliary floating body 8 are interconnected by two vertically extending struts 9 and 10 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the main and auxiliary floating bodies (and in the illustrated embodiment having an oval cross section) .
  • the main and auxiliary floating bodies 1,8 extend substantially horizontally and in parallel to each other (in an operational position of the apparatus).
  • the overall buoyancy of the structure is such that the auxiliary floating body 8 in an operational position of the apparatus extends partly above and partly below water level 15 (see figure 3) .
  • the struts 9,10 each provide a passage 11 for a person (for example equipped with a ladder 12) between the interior of the auxiliary floating body 8 and the interior of the main floating body 1.
  • the structure of the struts is such that these passages 11 are sealed against surrounding seawater, as a result of which the interior of the main floating body 1 and the equipment chamber 7 too can be reached by personnel when the apparatus is in the substantially submersed operational position illustrated best in figures 2 and 3.
  • the auxiliary floating body 8 is provided with an access opening 13 which can be closed and opened by a closure, such as for example a hatch 14, and which in the operational position of the apparatus is located above water level 15.
  • a closure such as for example a hatch 14
  • the auxiliary floating body 8 is provided with a mooring structure 16 for a vessel ( see figure 2 ) .
  • a crane 17 is shown and navigation members 18 ( see figure 3 ) .
  • the apparatus further is provided with support members for water turbines 19.
  • Said support members comprise two cross beams 20 extending in opposite directions outwardly from the main floating body 1.
  • the cross beams 20 are attached to an upper part of the main floating body 1 and extend inclined upwardly from the main floating body 1 with an angle with respect to the horizontal of at most 10°, and in the present embodiment at most 5°.
  • cross beams 20 are, as seen in the direction of the sea current, attached to the rear half of the main floating body 1. Further figure 4 clearly shows that the cross beams 20 are substantially wing shaped and taper outwardly.
  • the water turbines 19 are mounted on an upper surface of the cross beams.
  • the cross beams 20 may be provided with a controllable ballasting system, for example interior ballast tanks (not visible) for aiding in the control of the o e all buoy- ancy of the structure and for trimming purposes.
  • a controllable ballasting system for example interior ballast tanks (not visible) for aiding in the control of the o e all buoy- ancy of the structure and for trimming purposes.
  • the main floating body 1 further comprises an umbilical bell mouth 21 at which an umbilical line 22 is connected to the apparatus.
  • the water turbines 19 are at the required depth beneath water level 15 for an operation under optimal working conditions.
  • the auxiliary floating body 8 provides an added stability to the entire apparatus, and also allows access to the interior of the structure (especially the interior of the main float- ing body 10 ) without the need to 1 eave the operational position.
  • the overall buoyancy of the structure may be increased in such a manner that the apparatus rises until the water turbines have surfaced.
  • the wind turbines 19 may be counter rotating to real- ise symmetrical forces on the apparatus.
  • the number of water turbines 19 and cross beams 20 may differ from what has been illustrated.
  • the position of the water turbines relative to the cross beams also may differ, and if a cross beam supports more than one water turbine, these may be positioned on the upper and lower surface of the respective cross beam.
  • horizontal water turbines with forward facing blades are illustrated, also other types of water turbines are considered to be within the scope of the invention .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Oceanography (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for generating power from sea currents, comprising a structure having a buoyancy provided by buoyancy members (1, 8), support members (20) supporting water turbines (19) and mooring means (4) for mooring the structure to a fixed point. The buoyancy members (1, 8) comprise an elongate main floating body (1) and at least one elongate auxiliary floating body (8), wherein the auxiliary floating body (8) is positioned above the main floating body (1) in a vertical plane extending through the main floating body (1). The main floating body (1) and auxiliary floating body (8) are interconnected by at least one vertically extending strut (9, 10).

Description

Apparatus for generating power from sea currents
The invention relates to an apparatus for generating power from sea currents, comprising a structure having a buoyancy provided by buoyancy members , support members supporting water turbines and mooring means for mooring the structure to a fixed point.
In the field of generating power from sea currents, many different types of apparatus have been proposed in the past, each with specific advantages and disad¬ vantages .
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel type of apparatus for generating power from sea currents .
Thus, in accordance with the present invention an apparatus is provided which is characterized in that the buoyancy members comprise an elongate main floating body and at least one elongate auxiliary floating body, wherein the auxiliary float ing body is positioned above the main floating body in a vertical plane extending through the main floating body and wherein the main floating body and auxiliary floating body are interconnected by at least one vertically extending strut.
The apparatus according to the present invention has a stable position in the water, due to the relative positions between the main floating body and auxiliary floating body. The cross-section of the main floating body and/or auxiliary floating body may be substantially cylindrical.
In a preferred embodiment the main and auxiliary floating bodies extend substantially horizontally and in parallel to each other . As such the drag experienced and generated by the floating bodies is minimised.
In a specific embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the overall buoyancy of the structure is such that the auxiliary floating body in an op- erational position of the apparatus extends partly above and partly below water level.
The indication "operational position" relates to a position of the apparatus in which its water turbines are at the required depth for generating power. Because in such a position a part of the auxiliary floating body still is located above water level, a downward movement of the structure (for example caused by a force acting on the water turbines) automatically will lead to an increase of the buoy- ance counteracting such a downward movement. An upward movement, to the contrary, will lead to a decrease of the buoyancy. Thus, there will be a stabilizing effect. Because of the position of the auxiliary floating body vertically above the main floating body, the auxiliary floating body is also very effective in compensating (or preventing) other motions of the structure, such as for example (excessive) rolling of the structure.
In another embodiment the at least one strut provides a passage for a person between the interior of the auxiliary floating body and the interior of the main floating body which is sealed against surrounding seawater. For example such a passage is provided with a ladder enabling a person to reach the interior of the main floating body.
In such an embodiment, then, it further is conceivable that the auxiliary floating body is provided with an access opening which can be closed and opened by a closure, such as for example a hatch, which in the operational position of the apparatus is located above water level. As a result it is possible to gain access to the passage within the strut (and to the main floating body) , even in an operational position of the apparatus.
It also is possible that the auxiliary floating body in the vicinity of the access opening is provided with a mooring structure for a vessel. This allows to moor a ve s - sel (for example bringing maintenance personnel and equipment to the apparatus) to the auxiliary floating body.
The apparatus generally will comprise equipment, such as electric equipment, and this ma mainly be located in the interior of the main floating body . One of the advantages of positioning such equipment in the main floating body is the resulting low position of the centre of gravity of the structure, adding to an improved stability thereof.
For further optimising the structural integrity and strength of the structure, it is possible that the apparatus is provided with two struts spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the main and auxiliary floating bodies.
When the at least one strut has an oval cross section, the drag can be minimised, whereas further such a cross section may increase the azimuthal stabilisation of the apparatus.
In one embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the support members for the water turbines comprise at least one pair of cross beams extending in opposite directions outwardly from the main floating body. Each cross beam generally will support at least one water turbine, but it is also conceivable that a cross beam supports a number of water turbines. The position of these cross beams on the main floating body leads to a s tabi le ap- paratus with a low centre of gravity.
It may be advantageous when the cross beams are attached to an upper part of the main floating body.
In yet another embodiment the cross beams extend inclined upwardly from the main floating body with an angle with respect to the horizontal of at most 10°, and preferably said angle is at most 5°. This also has a stabilising effect on the position of the apparatus.
Preferably the water turbines are mounted on an upper surface of the cross beams. As a result the water tur- bines will surface early when the entire apparatus moves up- ardly (for example by increasing its buoyancy) , and will be readily accessible for maintenance or repairs without the need for any additional movement or displacement thereof (such as, for example, a rotation around a horizontal axis which requires a complicated structure prone to malfunctions) .
The cross beams may be provided with a controllable ballasting system. Likewise, the main floating body may comprise controllable ballasting means. Such a system or means may be used to change the buoyancy of the apparatus for moving it vertically upward or downward or for trimming purposes .
When the apparatus is provided with only one pair of cross beams, these may, as seen in the direction of the sea current, be attached to the rear half of the main floating body.
The cross beams may be substantially wing shaped and taper outwardly. As a result they may function essentially as hyd ofoils for helping in determining or control- ling the position of the apparatus.
The mooring means may comprise mooring lines attached to the forward and rearward ends of the main floating body.
Finally it is conceivable that the apparatus com- prises only one auxiliary floating body .
Hereinafter the invention will be elucidated while referring to the drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates in a perspective view from behind and partly cut away an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention ;
Figure 2 shows a frontal view of the apparatus from figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a side view of the apparatus from figure 1, and Figure 4 shows a top plan view of the apparatus from figure 1.
The apparatus for generating power from sea currents illustrated in the figures basica 1 i y comprises a structure having a buoyancy provided by buoyancy members, support members supporting water turbines and mooring means for mooring the structure to a fixed point. Before discussing these parts in detail below, it is noted that the structure apart from its buoyancy members also may comprise other parts which do not or only in a limited sense contribute to the overall buoyancy of the structure.
The buoyancy members firstly comprise an elongate, in the present embodiment substantially cylindrical, main floating body 1 of which the rear end is depicted at the left in figures 1,3 and 4. Rear mooring line connectors 2 and forward mooring line connectors 3 are provided in the main floati ng body 1 for guiding and attaching first ends of mooring lines 4 of which oppos ite second ends are attached to a fixed point, for example on the seabed (not illustrat- ed) or another stationary construction. The mooring line connectors 2,3 may be provided with mooring lines pull in and tensioning means (for example located within the main floating body 1) .
The main floating body 1 provides a defined buoy- anc which can be set at a required level by rear and forward controllable ballast tanks 5 and 6, respectively, which also may be used for trimming the apparatus.
In the interior of the main floating body 1 a chamber 7 may be provided for housing equipment, such as electric equipment .
The buoyancy members of the structure further comprise a single elongate, also substantially cylindrical, auxiliary floating body 8 which is positioned above the main floating body 1 in a vertical plane extending through the main floating body. The main floating body 1 and auxiliary floating body 8 are interconnected by two vertically extending struts 9 and 10 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the main and auxiliary floating bodies (and in the illustrated embodiment having an oval cross section) . As appears best from figures 1 and 3, the main and auxiliary floating bodies 1,8 extend substantially horizontally and in parallel to each other (in an operational position of the apparatus).
The overall buoyancy of the structure is such that the auxiliary floating body 8 in an operational position of the apparatus extends partly above and partly below water level 15 (see figure 3) .
The struts 9,10 each provide a passage 11 for a person (for example equipped with a ladder 12) between the interior of the auxiliary floating body 8 and the interior of the main floating body 1. The structure of the struts is such that these passages 11 are sealed against surrounding seawater, as a result of which the interior of the main floating body 1 and the equipment chamber 7 too can be reached by personnel when the apparatus is in the substantially submersed operational position illustrated best in figures 2 and 3.
The auxiliary floating body 8 is provided with an access opening 13 which can be closed and opened by a closure, such as for example a hatch 14, and which in the operational position of the apparatus is located above water level 15. In the vicinity of said access opening 13 the auxiliary floating body 8 is provided with a mooring structure 16 for a vessel ( see figure 2 ) . Further a crane 17 is shown and navigation members 18 ( see figure 3 ) .
The apparatus further is provided with support members for water turbines 19. Said support members comprise two cross beams 20 extending in opposite directions outwardly from the main floating body 1. As appears best from figure 2, the cross beams 20 are attached to an upper part of the main floating body 1 and extend inclined upwardly from the main floating body 1 with an angle with respect to the horizontal of at most 10°, and in the present embodiment at most 5°.
In the illustrated embodiment the cross beams 20 are, as seen in the direction of the sea current, attached to the rear half of the main floating body 1. Further figure 4 clearly shows that the cross beams 20 are substantially wing shaped and taper outwardly.
The water turbines 19 are mounted on an upper surface of the cross beams.
The cross beams 20 may be provided with a controllable ballasting system, for example interior ballast tanks (not visible) for aiding in the control of the o e all buoy- ancy of the structure and for trimming purposes.
As shown in figures 2 and 3, the main floating body 1 further comprises an umbilical bell mouth 21 at which an umbilical line 22 is connected to the apparatus.
In the operational position of the apparatus, the water turbines 19 are at the required depth beneath water level 15 for an operation under optimal working conditions. The auxiliary floating body 8 provides an added stability to the entire apparatus, and also allows access to the interior of the structure (especially the interior of the main float- ing body 10 ) without the need to 1 eave the operational position. However, if for example maintenance of the water turbines 19 is required, the overall buoyancy of the structure may be increased in such a manner that the apparatus rises until the water turbines have surfaced. Thus there is no need for attaching the water turbines 19 to the structure in a movable manner (e.g. rotatable manner, which has the disadvantage that the water turbines assume a tilted position with the risk of a detrimental displacement of lubricant within the water turbines). The invention is not limited to the embodiment described before which may be varied widely within the scope of the invention as defined by the appending claims. For example, the wind turbines 19 may be counter rotating to real- ise symmetrical forces on the apparatus. The number of water turbines 19 and cross beams 20 may differ from what has been illustrated. The position of the water turbines relative to the cross beams also may differ, and if a cross beam supports more than one water turbine, these may be positioned on the upper and lower surface of the respective cross beam. Finally, although horizontal water turbines with forward facing blades are illustrated, also other types of water turbines are considered to be within the scope of the invention .

Claims

1. Apparatus for generating power from sea currents, comprising a structure having a buoyancy provided by buoyancy members, support members supporting water turbines and mooring means for mooring the structure to a fixed point, characterized in that the buoyancy members comprise an elongate main floating body and at least one elongate auxiliary floating body, wherein the auxiliary floating body is positioned above the main floating body in a vertical plane extending through the main floating body and wherein the main floating body and auxiliary floating body are interconnected by at least one vertically extending strut.
2. Apparatus according to claims 1, wherein the main and auxiliary floating bodies extend substantially horizontally and in parallel to each other.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the overall buoyancy of the structure is such that the auxiliary floating body in an operational position of the apparatus extends partly above and partly below water le el .
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the at least one strut provides a passage for a person between the interior of the auxiliary floating body and the interior of the main floating body which is sealed against surrounding seawater .
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary floating body is provided with an access opening which can be closed and opened by a closure, such as for example a. hatch, which in the operational position of the appa atus is located above water level.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the auxiliary floating body in the vicinity of the access opening is provided with a mooring structure for a vessel.
7. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, comprising electric equipment which mainly is located in the interior of the main floating body.
8. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims and provided with two struts spaced apart in the lon¬ gitudinal direction of the main and auxiliary floating bodies .
9. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, wherein the at least one strut has an oval cross section .
10. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, wherein the support members for the water turbines comprise at least one pair of cross beams extending in opposite directions outwardly from the main floating body.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cross beams are attached to an upper part of the main floating body .
12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the cross beams extend inclined upwardly from the main floating body with an angle with respect to the horizontal of at most 10 ° .
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said angle is at most 5°.
14. Apparatus according to any of the claims 10-
13, wherein the water turbines are mounted on an upper surface of the cross beams.
15. Apparatus according to any of the claims 10-
14, wherein the cross beams are provided with a controllable ballasting system.
16. Apparatus according to any of the claims 10-
15, provided with only one pair of cross beams which, as seen, in the operational position of the apparatus , in the direction of the sea current , are attached to the rear half of the main floating body .
17. Apparatus according to any of the claims 10-
16, wherein the cross beams are substantially wing shaped and taper outwardly.
18. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims , wherein the mooring means comprise mooring lines attached to the forward and rearward ends of the main floating body.
19. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, wherein the main floating body comprises controllable ballasting means .
20. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims and comprising only one auxiliary floating body.
PCT/EP2013/077416 2013-12-19 2013-12-19 Apparatus for generating power from sea currents WO2015090414A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2013/077416 WO2015090414A1 (en) 2013-12-19 2013-12-19 Apparatus for generating power from sea currents
CA2933492A CA2933492A1 (en) 2013-12-19 2013-12-19 Apparatus for generating power from sea currents
GB1609857.6A GB2534825A (en) 2013-12-19 2013-12-19 Apparatus for generating power from sea currents

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2013/077416 WO2015090414A1 (en) 2013-12-19 2013-12-19 Apparatus for generating power from sea currents

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015090414A1 true WO2015090414A1 (en) 2015-06-25

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Country Status (3)

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GB (1) GB2534825A (en)
WO (1) WO2015090414A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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CN106014848A (en) * 2016-06-29 2016-10-12 北华航天工业学院 Tidal current energy power generation experiment device
WO2018115806A1 (en) 2016-12-22 2018-06-28 Scotrenewables Tidal Power Limited Power generating apparatus
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